The properties of composite media based on liquid crystals with nanoparticles
The properties of functional composite materials based on liquid crystals (LCs) doped with various nanoparticles are explored. Nanoparticles embedded into the LC matrix modify the permittivity of the medium in accordance with the specific material, size, and concentration of the nanoparticles. As a result, the electrooptical characteristics of devices based on such materials are modified as well. The modification shows itself as a decrease in the threshold voltage of the optical Frederiks effect, an acceleration of the optical response dynamics, a reduction of the region of operation voltages of LC devices, and a lowering of the power consumption.